Kean Announces 2008 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Class

Kean Announces 2008 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Class

Union, N.J. (8/29/08) - The Kean University Department of Athletics has announced that four former standouts as well as one team are apart of this year's induction class into the Kean Athletic Hall of Fame and will formally be inducted on January 24, 2009.

Joining the Athletic Hall of Fame is notable field hockey athlete Cheryl Perone, baseball standout Ronald Goldfaden, two-sport athlete William LaRusso and men's soccer star Sabri Salhieh.  Rounding out the 2008 class is the 1965-66 men's basketball team.

Cheryl Perone is the youngest member of this year's class completing her four year career in the fall of 2001.  During that span, Perone was named a four time New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) all-star as well as a three time regional All-American.  She started off her career with a bang in 1998 as she was named the 1998 NJAC Rookie of the Year and concluded her career in 2001 by being selected as the only Cougar ever to play in the prestigious North/South Collegiate All-Star game.

Ronald Goldfaden was a standout first baseman on the baseball diamond from 1970 through 1972. He became just the third baseball player ever named first team all conference in his senior year. In 1970 he had a .340 batting average, while setting then Squire season records with five homers, six doubles and 22 RBI in leading the team to a winning season (10-9) for the first time since 1959. During his Kean career he led the team to a combined 28-25 record, including the first .500 season in 11 years.

Bill LaRusso was a dual sport athlete at Newark State Teachers College, playing both baseball and basketball. Although his education and playing experienced were interrupted for a two- year period to serve in the United States Army, his return to both the classroom and the playing field was a key to the success of both programs. LaRusso's love of sports and the institution led to his return to Newark State College to serve as Head Men's Basketball Coach from 1961 to 1964.  The "William LaRusso Sportsmanship Award" was created to recognize his outstanding accomplishments and dedication to this institution in 1974.

Sabri Salhieh was versatile player and key member of back-to-back NJAC Championship teams during his career for the Cougars. In his freshman and sophomore seasons, he was the team's leading scorer before moving to defense as an upperclassman.  A two time first team All-NJAC and All-Region All-Star, Salhieh led the Cougars to the program's first ever Final Four appearance in 1984 after scoring a team-leading 13 goals. 

The 1965-66 Newark State Teachers College men's basketball team became the first team in school history to capture a conference championship. They compiled a 14-11 overall mark en route to the New Jersey State Athletic Conference (NJSAC) title. The team also had two members of both the 1,000 point and 1,000 rebound club.